US20230248121A1 - Buckle device - Google Patents
Buckle device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230248121A1 US20230248121A1 US18/163,083 US202318163083A US2023248121A1 US 20230248121 A1 US20230248121 A1 US 20230248121A1 US 202318163083 A US202318163083 A US 202318163083A US 2023248121 A1 US2023248121 A1 US 2023248121A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tongue plate
- lever
- contact portion
- release button
- inertial force
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 14
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
- A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
- A44B11/2503—Safety buckles
- A44B11/2507—Safety buckles actuated by a push-button
- A44B11/2523—Safety buckles actuated by a push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and in the same direction as the fastening action
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
- A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
- A44B11/2503—Safety buckles
- A44B11/2546—Details
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
- A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
- A44B11/2503—Safety buckles
- A44B11/2569—Safety measures
- A44B11/2573—Locking means preventing an unauthorised opening, e.g. by children
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a buckle device that is a component of a seat belt device of a vehicle.
- German Utility Model Publication No. 9202526 discloses a buckle device 100 , which is shown in FIG. 15 A , that prevents engagement of a tongue plate 110 from being released by an inertial force.
- a mechanical assembly 120 is disposed in a hollow buckle body that is not shown.
- the mechanical assembly 120 includes a release button 130 configured to receive a release operation for releasing the engagement of the tongue plate 110 , and an inertia member 140 .
- the inertia member 140 is configured to rotate about a rotation center axis 150 .
- a slot 131 which is opened in a thickness direction of the tongue plate 110 , is provided in a portion, located between the rotation center axis 150 of the inertia member 140 and the tongue plate 110 , of the release button 130 .
- the inertia member 140 includes a lever 141 protruding from the rotation center axis 150 toward the slot 131 , and a distal end of the lever 141 is inserted into the slot 131 .
- the center of gravity of the inertia member 140 is provided on a side opposite to the lever 141 with respect to the rotation center axis 150 .
- the release button 130 In an engaged state of the tongue plate 110 , in a case where an inertial force in the A direction acts on the release button 130 , in which the inertial force caused by an acceleration in a B direction, which is opposite to an A direction that is an insertion direction of the tongue plate 110 , is generated in the buckle device 100 , the inertial force in the A direction also acts on the inertia member 140 , and a torque around the rotation center axis 150 is generated in the inertia member 140 . Therefore, the release button 130 is pressed in the B direction by the lever 141 of the inertia member 140 .
- the inertia member 140 is configured such that a pressing force at this time becomes larger than the inertial force of the release button 130 , and thus, the inertia member 140 prevents the release button 130 from operating in a case where the inertial force in the A direction acts on the release button 130 .
- the lever 141 of the inertia member 140 presses the release button 130 in the A direction with the pressing force larger than the inertial force of the release button 130 , and thus, the release button 130 may be operated by the inertia member 140 .
- an object of the present disclosure is to provide a buckle device capable of reliably preventing engagement of a tongue plate from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
- the present disclosure provides a buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and for detachably engaging with the inserted tongue plate, the buckle device including:
- an operating member configured to be operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement between the tongue plate and the buckle device, the operating member being supported, in the buckle body, to be slidable in an insertion direction of the tongue plate;
- the inertia member includes:
- the first lever is located on an inner side, than the second lever, of the buckle body in the insertion direction of the tongue plate,
- the operating member is configured to be in contact, at a first contact portion, with the first lever and configured to be in contact, at a second contact portion, with the second lever, the engaged state of the tongue plate being a state where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle body,
- the first contact portion and the second contact portion are located between the first lever and the second lever in the insertion direction of the tongue plate
- the first contact portion and the second contact portion move in a direction away from a position between the first lever and the second lever, in accordance with a rotation of the inertia member
- the first lever applies, to the first contact portion, a first pressing force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the first pressing force being larger than the first inertial force
- the second lever applies, to the second contact portion, a second pressing force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the second pressing force being smaller than the second inertial force.
- the first pressing force which is larger than the first inertial force, in the direction opposite to the first inertial force is applied from the first lever of the inertia member to the operating member, and thus, the operating member is prevented from being operated.
- the second inertial force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member
- the second pressing force in the direction opposite to the second inertial force is applied from the second lever of the inertia member to the operating member.
- the second pressing force is smaller than the second inertial force, and thus, the operating member is not operated in the insertion direction of the tongue plate by the second lever. Therefore, the engagement of the tongue plate can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
- the first contact portion and the first lever of the first inertial force are provided separately from the second contact portion and the second lever of the second inertial force, the degree of freedom in design is high.
- a first distance may be smaller than a second distance, the first distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the first contact portion and the first lever, the second distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the second contact portion and the second lever.
- a first angle may be larger than a second angle, the first angle being formed by the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the first contact portion, of the first lever, the second angle being formed by the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the second contact portion, of the second lever.
- the buckle device further includes: a release button configured to receive the release operation; an engagement member configured to engage with the tongue plate that is to be inserted into the buckle body; and a lock member, in which, in a case where the engagement member engages with the tongue plate, the lock member is configured to be operated in a lock direction to prevent engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate from being released, in a case where the release button is operated toward an inner side of the buckle body, the lock member is configured to be operated in a direction opposite to the lock direction to enable the engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate to be released, and the operating member is at least one of the release button or the lock member.
- the buckle device generally includes the release button and the lock member, and thus, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be provided without adding components.
- the operating member may be both the release button and the lock member, the first contact portion may be provided on the lock member, and the second contact portion may be provided on the release button.
- the release button is biased in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, and in a state where the tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle body, the first lever is configured to be in contact with the lock member, and the second lever is configured to be in contact with the release button.
- the first lever and the second lever are located on a side opposite to the tongue plate with respect to the rotation center axis. According to this configuration, the shapes and sizes of the first lever, the second lever, the first contact portion, and the second contact portion are less likely to be limited by a space of the tongue plate.
- engagement of a tongue plate can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
- FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of a buckle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 B is a perspective view of a tongue plate.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanical assembly disposed in a buckle body of the buckle device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanical assembly with a release button removed.
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanical assembly other than the release button.
- FIG. 5 A is a perspective view of the release button as viewed obliquely from above.
- FIG. 5 B is a perspective view of the release button as viewed obliquely from below.
- FIG. 6 A is a perspective view of an inertia member as viewed obliquely from above.
- FIG. 6 B is a perspective view of the inertia member as viewed obliquely from below.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lock member as viewed obliquely from below.
- FIG. 8 shows a disengaged state in a cross section taken along a line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 9 A shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device.
- FIG. 9 B shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device.
- FIG. 9 C shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device.
- FIG. 10 A shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released.
- FIG. 10 B shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released.
- FIG. 10 C shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released.
- FIG. 11 A is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member.
- FIG. 11 B is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member.
- FIG. 12 A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a first modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member.
- FIG. 12 B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a first modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member.
- FIG. 13 A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a second modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member.
- FIG. 13 B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a second modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member.
- FIG. 14 A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a third modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member.
- FIG. 14 B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a third modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member.
- FIG. 15 A is a cross-sectional view of a buckle device in the related art.
- FIG. 15 B schematically shows a portion of the buckle device in the related art.
- FIG. 1 A shows a buckle device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the buckle device 1 is a device into which a tongue plate 15 , shown in FIG. 1 B , that is provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and which detachably engages with the inserted tongue plate 15 .
- the buckle device 1 includes a hollow buckle body 2 and a mechanical assembly 10 , shown in FIG. 2 , that is disposed in the buckle body 2 . That is, the buckle body 2 serves as a cover configured to accommodate the mechanical assembly 10 .
- an insertion direction of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as the rear, and a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as the front.
- One side, in a thickness direction, of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as an upper side, the other side is referred to as a lower side, and a width direction of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as a left-right direction.
- the mechanical assembly 10 includes a frame 6 and an operating member 3 .
- the frame 6 has a groove shape having a U-shape, which extends in a front-rear direction and opens upward, in a cross sectional view.
- the operating member 3 is supported by the frame 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
- the operating member 3 is operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement of the tongue plate 15 .
- the operating member 3 includes both a release button 4 and a lock member 5 (see FIG. 3 ).
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanical assembly 10 with the release button 4 removed, in an engaged state of the tongue plate 15 (the tongue plate 15 is omitted).
- the release button 4 is configured to receive the release operation.
- the lock member 5 is configured to maintain an engaged state of the tongue plate 15 shown in FIG. 9 C .
- the buckle body 2 has a front opening, which is opened forward, having substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.
- the release button 4 closes an upper portion of the front opening.
- a portion, located below the front opening, of the buckle body 2 is a tongue plate guiding portion 21 that is inclined obliquely upward toward the rear and then becomes parallel to the front-rear direction.
- a tongue plate insertion opening 20 is formed between the tongue plate guiding portion 21 and the release button 4 .
- the mechanical assembly 10 includes an ejector 7 , an engagement member 8 , and an inertia member 9 in addition to the frame 6 and the operating member 3 .
- the ejector 7 abuts the tongue plate 15 inserted into the buckle body 2 through the tongue plate insertion opening 20 .
- the engagement member 8 engages with the tongue plate 15 inserted into the buckle body 2 through the tongue plate insertion opening 20 .
- the inertia member 9 prevents the operating member 3 from being operated due to an inertial force, in the engaged state of the tongue plate 15 .
- the frame 6 has a bottom wall 61 that forms a tongue plate guiding surface continuously with the tongue plate guiding portion 21 of the buckle body 2 , and a pair of side walls 62 that rise from both left and right end portions of the bottom wall 61 .
- a holding hole 68 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the bottom wall 61 .
- the ejector 7 is inserted into the holding hole 68 to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
- the ejector 7 is biased forward by a spring 11 .
- the ejector 7 is provided with a pair of left and right bosses 71 protruding upward. As shown in FIG. 8 , in a disengaged state of the tongue plate 15 (for example, in a state where the tongue plate 15 is not inserted into the buckle body 2 ), the bosses 71 press a bulge portion 45 , to be described later, of the release button 4 by a biasing force of the spring 11 .
- a first recess portion 66 opened forward is formed in a front end portion of each side wall 62
- a second recess portion 63 opened upward is formed in a central portion of each side wall 62
- a third recess portion 67 recessed downward from a center of the first recess portion 66 is formed in each side wall 62 .
- a first slit 65 and a second slit 64 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at positions rearward of the first recess portion 66 and forward of the second recess portion 63 , in each side wall 62 .
- the second slit 64 is located below the first slit 65 . When viewed in an up-down direction, a rear portion of the first slit 65 and a front portion of the second slit 64 overlap each other.
- the engagement member 8 includes a metal portion 8 A and a resin portion 8 B that are fitted to each other.
- a configuration of the engagement member 8 is not limited thereto, and can be changed as appropriate.
- the metal portion 8 A is formed by bending a metal plate having a predetermined shape.
- the metal portion 8 A includes a base portion 81 extending in the front-rear direction, a hook portion 82 hanging down from a front end portion of the base portion 81 , and a pair of left and right leg portions 84 hanging down from a rear end portion of the base portion 81 .
- the base portion 81 has a through hole to which the resin portion 8 B fits.
- the resin portion 8 B includes a first limiting portion 86 located on the front end portion of the base portion 81 , and a spring receiving portion 87 located on the rear end portion of the base portion 81 .
- the metal portion 8 A includes a pair of fulcrum portions 83 projecting, in the left-right direction, from the rear end portion of the base portion 81 , and a pair of second limiting portions 85 projecting in the left-right direction from the front end portion of the base portion 81 and then projecting forward.
- the engagement member 8 is supported by the frame 6 to be swingable about the fulcrum portions 83 as fulcrums.
- the lock member 5 moves between a standby position shown in FIG. 8 and a lock position shown in FIG. 9 C .
- the lock member 5 In a case where the engagement member 8 is engaged with the tongue plate 15 , the lock member 5 is operated in a lock direction, which is forward in the present embodiment, from the standby position to prevent the engagement of the engagement member 8 from being released.
- the release button 4 In a case where the release button 4 is operated rearward toward an inner side of the buckle body 2 , the lock member 5 is operated in a direction opposite to the lock direction, which is rearward in the present embodiment, from the lock position to enable the engagement of the engagement member 8 to be released.
- the lock member 5 includes a resin portion including a base portion 51 extending in the left-right direction, and a metal lock bar 13 to be inserted into a through hole 54 penetrating the base portion 51 in the left-right direction.
- the base portion 51 is provided with a pair of arm portions 52 extending forward from both end portions of the base portion 51 . Front portions of the arm portions 52 are connected to each other by a bridge portion 55 extending in the left-right direction. Both end portions of the lock bar 13 protrude from the base portion 51 .
- a pair of bosses 53 protruding outward are provided at respective distal ends of the pair of arm portions 52 . Both end portions of the lock bar 13 are inserted into the first slits 65 formed in the side walls 62 of the frame 6 , and the bosses 53 are inserted into the first recess portion 66 formed in the side walls 62 , and thus, the lock member 5 is supported by the frame 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
- a spring 12 is disposed between the base portion 51 of the lock member 5 and the spring receiving portion 87 of the engagement member 8 .
- the spring 12 is omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3 for simplification of the drawings.
- the spring 12 biases the engagement member 8 to swing upward, that is, the hook portion 82 moves upward, and biases the lock member 5 forward.
- the lock member 5 includes a first limiting portion 56 protruding downward from the center of the base portion 51 , and a pair of second limiting portions 57 protruding downward from respective end portions of the base portion 51 .
- the front end portion of the base portion 51 is configured to come in contact with the first limiting portion 86 of the engagement member 8 from behind. Accordingly, the lock member 5 is maintained at the standby position.
- the release button 4 includes a front wall 41 that is long in the left-right direction, and a pair of side walls 42 that extend rearward from the front wall 41 and that sandwich both side walls 62 of the frame 6 . Upper ends of rear portions of the side walls 42 are connected to each other by a bridge portion 43 extending in the left-right direction.
- a bulge portion 44 bulging forward is provided at the center of the bridge portion 43 .
- the bulge portion 44 is connected to the center of an upper end portion of the front wall 41 via a pair of left and right ribs 48 .
- An opening 49 into which a second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 to be described later is inserted, is formed between the ribs 48 .
- a bulge portion 45 bulging rearward is provided at the center of a lower end portion of the front wall 41 .
- Rear end portions of both side walls 42 are provided with respective attachment portions 46 each having a claw hanging downward and protruding inward at tips of the claw.
- the bridge portion 43 is placed on respective upper end surfaces of both side walls 62 of the frame 6 , and the claws of the attachment portions 46 are inserted into the respective second slits 64 formed in the side walls 62 , and thus, the release button 4 is supported by the frame 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
- a length of the lock bar 13 is set to be longer than a width of the frame 6 , and both end portions of the lock bar 13 protrude outward of the side walls 62 of the frame 6 .
- a groove 47 is formed on an inner surface of each side wall 42 of the release button 4 .
- the end portion of the lock bar 13 In the disengaged state of the tongue plate 15 , the end portion of the lock bar 13 is located near a rear side surface of the groove 47 with a space, and, in the engaged state of the tongue plate 15 , the end portion of the lock bar 13 comes into contact with a front side surface of the groove 47 .
- the inertia member 9 is supported by the frame 6 to be rotatable about a rotation center axis 90 extending in the left-right direction.
- the inertia member 9 includes a main body portion 91 through which the rotation center axis 90 penetrates, and two first levers 94 and a second lever 93 protruding from the main body portion 91 in a direction away from the rotation center axis 90 .
- the first levers 94 and the second lever 93 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction when viewed in the left-right direction, which is an extending direction of the rotation center axis 90 .
- the main body portion 91 is configured to provide a center of gravity 9 g (see FIG. 8 ) of the inertia member 9 at a position away from the rotation center axis 90 .
- the center of gravity 9 g of the inertia member 9 is located below the rotation center axis 90 .
- a pair of shaft portions 92 protrude, along the rotation center axis 90 , from respective side surfaces of the main body portion 91 .
- the shaft portions 92 are inserted into the respective third recess portion 67 formed in the side walls 62 of the frame 6 , and thus, the inertia member 9 is supported by the frame 6 to be rotatable about the rotation center axis 90 .
- the second lever 93 is disposed at the center of the main body portion 91 , and the two first levers 94 are disposed on respective sides of the second lever 93 .
- the first levers 94 protrude from the main body portion 91 at a position rearward of the rotation center axis 90
- the second lever 93 protrudes from the main body portion 91 at a position forward of the rotation center axis 90 . That is, the first levers 94 are located at the inner side of the buckle body 2 than the second lever 93 , in the insertion direction of the tongue plate 15 .
- a protruding direction of the first levers 94 and the second lever 93 is substantially parallel to a line connecting the center of gravity 9 g and the rotation center axis 90 .
- Stoppers 95 pointed obliquely downward are provided at respective end portions of the main body portion 91 . Further, a protruding portion 69 configured to come in contact with the stopper 95 is provided on an inner surface of a front portion of each side wall 62 of the frame 6 .
- FIGS. 9 A to 9 C show actions of the mechanical assembly 10 in a case where the tongue plate 15 is engaged with the buckle device 1
- FIGS. 10 A to 10 C show actions of the mechanical assembly 10 in a case where the engagement of the tongue plate 15 is released.
- the insertion direction of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as an A direction
- a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate 15 is referred to as a B direction.
- the engagement member 8 is maintained in a state of being swung upward by the biasing force of the spring 12 .
- the lock member 5 is biased in the B direction by the spring 12 , and the front end portion of the base portion 51 of the lock member 5 comes in contact with the first limiting portion 86 of the engagement member 8 .
- the release button 4 is biased in the B direction by the spring 11 via the ejector 7 , and a front end portion of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 is brought into contact with the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 located in the opening 49 of the release button 4 .
- the inertia member 9 is biased, by the spring 11 via the release button 4 , to rotate in a direction from the first lever 94 toward the second lever 93 , that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 7 , and the first levers 94 come in contact with a lower surface of the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 . Accordingly, the movement of the release button 4 and the rotation of the inertia member 9 are prevented, and thus, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise due to rattling of the release button 4 and the inertia member 9 .
- the lock member 5 moves in the B direction by the biasing force of the spring 12 .
- the first limiting portion 56 of the lock member 5 slides on the first limiting portion 86 of the engagement member 8 .
- the lock member 5 alone moves in the B direction until both end portions of the lock bar 13 come in contact with the front side surfaces of the grooves 47 of the release button 4 , which is the state shown in FIG. 9 B , and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9 C , the lock member 5 moves in the B direction together with the release button 4 .
- the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 enters between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 when viewed in the left-right direction, which is the extending direction of the rotation center axis 90 , as shown in FIG. 9 B .
- the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 is pressed by the front end portion of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 , and thus, the inertia member 9 rotates in a direction from the first lever 94 toward the second lever 93 , which is counterclockwise in FIG. 9 C .
- the rotation of the inertia member 9 is stopped in a case where the stopper 95 of the inertia member 9 comes in contact with the protruding portion 69 of the frame 6 , and thus, the movement of the lock member 5 and the release button 4 in the B direction is also stopped.
- the position is the lock position of the lock member 5 .
- the release button 4 is biased in the B direction by the spring 12 via the lock member 5 .
- the second limiting portion 57 of the lock member 5 comes in contact with the second limiting portion 85 of the engagement member 8 .
- the tongue plate 15 is biased by the spring 11 via the ejector 7 , and thus the tongue plate 15 is pressed against the hook portion 82 of the engagement member 8 . Accordingly, the engaged state of the tongue plate 15 shown in FIG. 9 C is formed.
- the first levers 94 and the second lever 93 are located on a side opposite to the tongue plate 15 with respect to the rotation center axis 90 .
- the release button 4 receives the release operation and moves, together with the lock member 5 , in the A direction against the biasing force of the spring 12 , and the front end portion of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 is separated from the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 , as shown in FIG. 10 A .
- FIG. 10 B as the release button 4 moves to the inner side of the buckle body 2 in the A direction of the lock member 5 , the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 presses the first levers 94 of the inertia member 9 . Accordingly, the inertia member 9 rotates in a direction, which is clockwise in FIG. 10 B , from the second lever 93 toward the first lever 94 . Accordingly, the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 moves in a direction away from a space between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 .
- the release button 4 is moved to a position shown in FIG. 8 by the biasing force of the spring 11 .
- FIGS. 11 A and 11 B In the engaged state of the tongue plate 15 , a rear end portion of the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 is configured to come in contact with the first lever 94 , and the front end portion of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 is configured to come in contact with the second lever 93 . That is, the rear end portion of the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 configures a first contact portion 31 of the operating member 3 , and the front end portion of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 configures a second contact portion 32 of the operating member 3 .
- the first contact portion 31 and the second contact portion 32 are located between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 in the front-rear direction when viewed in the left-right direction, which is the extending direction of the rotation center axis 90 .
- FIGS. 10 A to 10 C in a case where the engagement of the tongue plate 15 is released, the first contact portion 31 and the second contact portion 32 move in a direction away from the space between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 in accordance with the rotation of the inertia member 9 , and in a state shown in FIG. 10 C , the first contact portion 31 and the second contact portion 32 are away from the space between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 .
- an inertial force F1 in the A direction acts on the inertia member 9 .
- the first lever 94 applies a first pressing force Fb, in the B direction to the first contact portion 31 , by the inertial force F1 in the A direction.
- the first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the first inertial force FA.
- an inertial force F2 in the B direction acts on the inertia member 9 .
- the second lever 93 applies a second pressing force Fa in the A direction to the second contact portion 32 by the inertial force F2 in the B direction.
- the second pressing force Fa is set to be smaller than the second inertial force FB.
- a direction of a force F2′ applied from the second lever 93 to the second contact portion 32 by the torque T2 is orthogonal to a surface, located on a side of the second contact portion 32 , of the second lever 93 .
- F2′ T2/L2
- L2 is a second distance, in a direction parallel to the surface, located on a side of the second contact portion 32 , of the second lever 93 , from the contact point between the second contact portion 32 and the second lever 93 to the rotation center axis 90 .
- the second angle ⁇ 2 is 90°
- the second pressing force Fa is the same as the force F2′.
- the first inertial force FA and the second inertial force FB acting on the operating member 3 are the same. Therefore, in order to make strength of the first pressing force Fb larger than that of the first inertial force FA, and in order to make strength of the second pressing force Fa smaller than that of the second inertial force FB, in the present embodiment, strength of the first pressing force Fb is set larger than that of the second pressing force Fa, and strength of the first inertial force FA and the second inertial force FB are set to have strength between strength of the first pressing force Fb and strength of the second pressing force Fa.
- the inertial force F1 and the inertial force F2 acting on the inertia member 9 are also the same.
- the first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by appropriately setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2.
- the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 can individually adjust the first distance L1, the second distance L2, the first angle ⁇ 1, and the second angle ⁇ 2 as long as the first pressing force Fb is larger than the second pressing force Fa.
- the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 have a degree of freedom in design, and are easily provided in consideration of the strength thereof, the shape of other members, and the like.
- the first pressing force Fb which is larger than the first inertial force FA
- the second pressing force Fa in a direction opposite to the second inertial force FB is applied from the second lever 93 of the inertia member 9 to the operating member 3 .
- the second pressing force Fa is smaller than the second inertial force FB, and thus the operating member 3 is not operated in the A direction by the second lever 93 . Therefore, the engagement of the tongue plate 15 can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
- the first contact portion 31 and the first lever 94 for the first inertial force FA are provided separately from the second contact portion 32 and the second lever 93 for the second inertial force FB, the degree of freedom in design is high.
- the release button 4 and the lock member 5 which are the operating member 3 , are biased forward, which is in the B direction, by the spring 12 , and thus the biasing force of the spring 12 acts to decrease the first inertial force FA and to increase the second inertial force FB. Accordingly, an effect of reliably preventing the engagement of the tongue plate 15 from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force can be enhanced.
- the operating member 3 may be only the release button 4 as shown in FIGS. 12 A and 12 B , or the operating member 3 may be only the lock member 5 as shown in FIGS. 13 A and 13 B .
- the operating member 3 is at least one of the release button 4 or the lock member 5
- the buckle device 1 since the buckle device 1 generally includes the release button 4 and the lock member 5 , the first contact portion 31 and the second contact portion 32 can be provided without adding components.
- the first contact portion 31 is provided on the lock member 5
- the second contact portion 32 is provided on the release button 4 as described in the above embodiment
- the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 are separated from each other in the direction of the rotation center axis 90 of the inertia member 9 , there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in providing the first lever 94 , the second lever 93 , the first contact portion 31 , and the second contact portion 32 is increased, and the strength of the operating member 3 is easily secured even in a case where a distance, in a rotation direction of the inertia member 9 , between the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 is small.
- a bar portion 40 having a length extending over both first levers 94 of the inertia member 9 is integrally provided on a lower surface of the bulge portion 44 of the release button 4 .
- a rear end portion of the bar portion 40 configures the first contact portion 31 of the operating member 3
- a front end portion of the bulge portion 44 configures the second contact portion 32 of the operating member 3 , and thus the operating member 3 includes only the release button 4 .
- a biasing force of the spring 12 in a forward direction which is the B direction, may be set to be larger than an inertial force acting on the lock member 5 .
- a rear end portion of the bridge portion 55 of the lock member 5 configures the first contact portion 31 of the operating member 3
- a front end portion of the bridge portion 55 configures the second contact portion 32 of the operating member 3
- the operating member 3 includes only the lock member 5 .
- the first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by appropriately setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2.
- the first pressing force Fb may be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by setting the first angle ⁇ 1 and the second angle ⁇ 2 to the same angle (here, 90°) and setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2.
- the operating member 3 includes only the lock member 5 .
- the first pressing force Fb may be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by setting the first angle ⁇ 1 to be larger than the second angle ⁇ 2.
- a surface facing the first lever 94 and inclined with respect to the acting direction, which is the A direction, of the first inertial force FA may be provided on the first contact portion 31 of the operating member 3 , and the first lever 94 may come in contact with the surface.
- a surface facing the second lever 93 and inclined with respect to the acting direction, which is the B direction, of the second inertial force FB may be provided on the second contact portion 32 of the operating member 3 , and the second lever 93 may come in contact with the surface.
- the first pressing force Fb can be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by, for example, setting an angle of the surface on the first contact portion 31 to be larger than the angle of the surface on the second contact portion 32 in a range of 90° or less, or by setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2.
- the lock member 5 is configured to slide in the front-rear direction between the lock position and a non-lock position, but the lock member 5 may be configured to pivot between the lock position and the non-lock position.
- the center of gravity 9 g of the inertia member 9 may be located above the rotation center axis 90 .
- the center of gravity 9 g of the inertia member 9 in a case where the center of gravity 9 g of the inertia member 9 is located below the rotation center axis 90 , in other words, in a case where the first lever 94 and the second lever 93 are located on a side opposite to the tongue plate 15 with respect to the rotation center axis 90 in the engaged state of the tongue plate 15 , the shapes and sizes of the first lever 94 , the second lever 93 , the first contact portion 31 , and the second contact portion 32 are less likely to be restricted by a space of the tongue plate 15 .
Landscapes
- Buckles (AREA)
- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
Abstract
A buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and which detachably engages with the inserted tongue plate. The buckle device includes a hollow buckle body, an operating member configured to be operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement between the tongue plate and the buckle device, the operating member being supported, in the buckle body, to be slidable in an insertion direction of the tongue plate, and an inertia member supported, in the buckle body, to be rotatable about a rotation center axis extending in a width direction of the tongue plate.
Description
- This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-016297 filed on Feb. 4, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present disclosure relates to a buckle device that is a component of a seat belt device of a vehicle.
- In the related art, there has been known a buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt (also referred to as webbing) of a vehicle is to be inserted, and which detachably engages with the inserted tongue plate. For example, German Utility Model Publication No. 9202526 discloses a
buckle device 100, which is shown inFIG. 15A , that prevents engagement of atongue plate 110 from being released by an inertial force. - Specifically, in the
buckle device 100 disclosed in German Utility Model Publication No. 9202526, amechanical assembly 120 is disposed in a hollow buckle body that is not shown. Themechanical assembly 120 includes arelease button 130 configured to receive a release operation for releasing the engagement of thetongue plate 110, and aninertia member 140. - The
inertia member 140 is configured to rotate about arotation center axis 150. As shown inFIG. 15B , aslot 131, which is opened in a thickness direction of thetongue plate 110, is provided in a portion, located between therotation center axis 150 of theinertia member 140 and thetongue plate 110, of therelease button 130. Theinertia member 140 includes alever 141 protruding from therotation center axis 150 toward theslot 131, and a distal end of thelever 141 is inserted into theslot 131. The center of gravity of theinertia member 140 is provided on a side opposite to thelever 141 with respect to therotation center axis 150. - In an engaged state of the
tongue plate 110, in a case where an inertial force in the A direction acts on therelease button 130, in which the inertial force caused by an acceleration in a B direction, which is opposite to an A direction that is an insertion direction of thetongue plate 110, is generated in thebuckle device 100, the inertial force in the A direction also acts on theinertia member 140, and a torque around therotation center axis 150 is generated in theinertia member 140. Therefore, therelease button 130 is pressed in the B direction by thelever 141 of theinertia member 140. Theinertia member 140 is configured such that a pressing force at this time becomes larger than the inertial force of therelease button 130, and thus, theinertia member 140 prevents therelease button 130 from operating in a case where the inertial force in the A direction acts on therelease button 130. - However, in the
buckle device 100 of German Utility Model Publication No. 9202526, even in a case where the inertial force in the B direction acts on therelease button 130, thelever 141 of theinertia member 140 presses therelease button 130 in the A direction with the pressing force larger than the inertial force of therelease button 130, and thus, therelease button 130 may be operated by theinertia member 140. - Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a buckle device capable of reliably preventing engagement of a tongue plate from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
- The present disclosure provides a buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and for detachably engaging with the inserted tongue plate, the buckle device including:
- a hollow buckle body;
- an operating member configured to be operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement between the tongue plate and the buckle device, the operating member being supported, in the buckle body, to be slidable in an insertion direction of the tongue plate; and
- an inertia member supported, in the buckle body, to be rotatable about a rotation center axis extending in a width direction of the tongue plate,
- in which the inertia member includes:
-
- a main body portion through which the rotation center axis penetrates; and
- a first lever and a second lever protruding from the main body portion in a direction away from the rotation center axis, the first lever and the second lever being arranged at a predetermined interval in the insertion direction of the tongue plate when viewed from an extending direction of the rotation center axis,
- the first lever is located on an inner side, than the second lever, of the buckle body in the insertion direction of the tongue plate,
- in an engaged state of the tongue plate, the operating member is configured to be in contact, at a first contact portion, with the first lever and configured to be in contact, at a second contact portion, with the second lever, the engaged state of the tongue plate being a state where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle body,
- in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are located between the first lever and the second lever in the insertion direction of the tongue plate,
- in a case where the tongue plate is disengaged from the buckle body, the first contact portion and the second contact portion move in a direction away from a position between the first lever and the second lever, in accordance with a rotation of the inertia member,
- in a case where a first inertial force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first lever applies, to the first contact portion, a first pressing force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the first pressing force being larger than the first inertial force, and
- in a case where a second inertial force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the second lever applies, to the second contact portion, a second pressing force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the second pressing force being smaller than the second inertial force.
- According to the above configuration, in a case where the first inertial force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member, the first pressing force, which is larger than the first inertial force, in the direction opposite to the first inertial force is applied from the first lever of the inertia member to the operating member, and thus, the operating member is prevented from being operated. On the other hand, in a case where the second inertial force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member, the second pressing force in the direction opposite to the second inertial force is applied from the second lever of the inertia member to the operating member. However, the second pressing force is smaller than the second inertial force, and thus, the operating member is not operated in the insertion direction of the tongue plate by the second lever. Therefore, the engagement of the tongue plate can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force. In addition, since the first contact portion and the first lever of the first inertial force are provided separately from the second contact portion and the second lever of the second inertial force, the degree of freedom in design is high.
- In a thickness direction of the tongue plate, a first distance may be smaller than a second distance, the first distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the first contact portion and the first lever, the second distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the second contact portion and the second lever. Alternatively, in the engaged state of the tongue plate, a first angle may be larger than a second angle, the first angle being formed by the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the first contact portion, of the first lever, the second angle being formed by the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the second contact portion, of the second lever.
- According to these configurations, it is possible to provide a difference between the first pressing force and the second pressing force with a relatively simple configuration.
- The buckle device further includes: a release button configured to receive the release operation; an engagement member configured to engage with the tongue plate that is to be inserted into the buckle body; and a lock member, in which, in a case where the engagement member engages with the tongue plate, the lock member is configured to be operated in a lock direction to prevent engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate from being released, in a case where the release button is operated toward an inner side of the buckle body, the lock member is configured to be operated in a direction opposite to the lock direction to enable the engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate to be released, and the operating member is at least one of the release button or the lock member. According to this configuration, the buckle device generally includes the release button and the lock member, and thus, the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be provided without adding components.
- The operating member may be both the release button and the lock member, the first contact portion may be provided on the lock member, and the second contact portion may be provided on the release button.
- According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the shape of the release button and the shape of the lock member to easily manufacture the release button and the lock member, or to easily provide the release button and the lock member in consideration of the strength and the shape of other members.
- The release button is biased in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, and in a state where the tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle body, the first lever is configured to be in contact with the lock member, and the second lever is configured to be in contact with the release button.
- According to this configuration, in a disengaged state of the tongue plate, the movement of the release button and the rotation of the inertia member are prevented, and thus it is possible to prevent abnormal noise due to rattling of the release button and the inertia member.
- In the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first lever and the second lever are located on a side opposite to the tongue plate with respect to the rotation center axis. According to this configuration, the shapes and sizes of the first lever, the second lever, the first contact portion, and the second contact portion are less likely to be limited by a space of the tongue plate.
- According to the present disclosure, engagement of a tongue plate can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force.
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a buckle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a tongue plate. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanical assembly disposed in a buckle body of the buckle device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanical assembly with a release button removed. -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanical assembly other than the release button. -
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the release button as viewed obliquely from above. -
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the release button as viewed obliquely from below. -
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an inertia member as viewed obliquely from above. -
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the inertia member as viewed obliquely from below. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lock member as viewed obliquely from below. -
FIG. 8 shows a disengaged state in a cross section taken along a line VIII-VIII ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 9A shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device. -
FIG. 9B shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device. -
FIG. 9C shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle device. -
FIG. 10A shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released. -
FIG. 10B shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released. -
FIG. 10C shows an action of the mechanical assembly in a case where engagement of the tongue plate is released. -
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member. -
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical assembly at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member. -
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a first modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member. -
FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a first modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member. -
FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a second modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member. -
FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a second modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member. -
FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a third modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a first inertial force in an insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on an operating member. -
FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical assembly of a buckle device according to a third modification at a position traversing a first lever and a second lever in an engaged state of the tongue plate, in a case where a second inertial force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member. -
FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of a buckle device in the related art. -
FIG. 15B schematically shows a portion of the buckle device in the related art. -
FIG. 1A shows abuckle device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thebuckle device 1 is a device into which atongue plate 15, shown inFIG. 1B , that is provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and which detachably engages with the insertedtongue plate 15. - Specifically, the
buckle device 1 includes ahollow buckle body 2 and amechanical assembly 10, shown inFIG. 2 , that is disposed in thebuckle body 2. That is, thebuckle body 2 serves as a cover configured to accommodate themechanical assembly 10. - Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an insertion direction of the
tongue plate 15 is referred to as the rear, and a direction opposite to the insertion direction of thetongue plate 15 is referred to as the front. One side, in a thickness direction, of thetongue plate 15 is referred to as an upper side, the other side is referred to as a lower side, and a width direction of thetongue plate 15 is referred to as a left-right direction. - The
mechanical assembly 10 includes aframe 6 and an operatingmember 3. Theframe 6 has a groove shape having a U-shape, which extends in a front-rear direction and opens upward, in a cross sectional view. The operatingmember 3 is supported by theframe 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The operatingmember 3 is operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement of thetongue plate 15. - In the present embodiment, the operating
member 3 includes both arelease button 4 and a lock member 5 (seeFIG. 3 ).FIG. 3 is a perspective view of themechanical assembly 10 with therelease button 4 removed, in an engaged state of the tongue plate 15 (thetongue plate 15 is omitted). Therelease button 4 is configured to receive the release operation. Thelock member 5 is configured to maintain an engaged state of thetongue plate 15 shown inFIG. 9C . - As shown in
FIG. 1A , thebuckle body 2 has a front opening, which is opened forward, having substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. Therelease button 4 closes an upper portion of the front opening. A portion, located below the front opening, of thebuckle body 2 is a tongueplate guiding portion 21 that is inclined obliquely upward toward the rear and then becomes parallel to the front-rear direction. A tongueplate insertion opening 20 is formed between the tongueplate guiding portion 21 and therelease button 4. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , themechanical assembly 10 includes anejector 7, anengagement member 8, and aninertia member 9 in addition to theframe 6 and the operatingmember 3. Theejector 7 abuts thetongue plate 15 inserted into thebuckle body 2 through the tongueplate insertion opening 20. Theengagement member 8 engages with thetongue plate 15 inserted into thebuckle body 2 through the tongueplate insertion opening 20. Theinertia member 9 prevents the operatingmember 3 from being operated due to an inertial force, in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15. - More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 4 , theframe 6 has abottom wall 61 that forms a tongue plate guiding surface continuously with the tongueplate guiding portion 21 of thebuckle body 2, and a pair ofside walls 62 that rise from both left and right end portions of thebottom wall 61. - A holding
hole 68 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in thebottom wall 61. Theejector 7 is inserted into the holdinghole 68 to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Theejector 7 is biased forward by aspring 11. - The
ejector 7 is provided with a pair of left andright bosses 71 protruding upward. As shown inFIG. 8 , in a disengaged state of the tongue plate 15 (for example, in a state where thetongue plate 15 is not inserted into the buckle body 2), thebosses 71 press abulge portion 45, to be described later, of therelease button 4 by a biasing force of thespring 11. - A
first recess portion 66 opened forward is formed in a front end portion of eachside wall 62, and asecond recess portion 63 opened upward is formed in a central portion of eachside wall 62. Athird recess portion 67 recessed downward from a center of thefirst recess portion 66 is formed in eachside wall 62. Further, afirst slit 65 and asecond slit 64 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at positions rearward of thefirst recess portion 66 and forward of thesecond recess portion 63, in eachside wall 62. Thesecond slit 64 is located below thefirst slit 65. When viewed in an up-down direction, a rear portion of thefirst slit 65 and a front portion of thesecond slit 64 overlap each other. - In the present embodiment, the
engagement member 8 includes ametal portion 8A and aresin portion 8B that are fitted to each other. A configuration of theengagement member 8 is not limited thereto, and can be changed as appropriate. Themetal portion 8A is formed by bending a metal plate having a predetermined shape. Specifically, themetal portion 8A includes abase portion 81 extending in the front-rear direction, ahook portion 82 hanging down from a front end portion of thebase portion 81, and a pair of left andright leg portions 84 hanging down from a rear end portion of thebase portion 81. Thebase portion 81 has a through hole to which theresin portion 8B fits. Theresin portion 8B includes a first limitingportion 86 located on the front end portion of thebase portion 81, and aspring receiving portion 87 located on the rear end portion of thebase portion 81. - Further, the
metal portion 8A includes a pair offulcrum portions 83 projecting, in the left-right direction, from the rear end portion of thebase portion 81, and a pair of second limitingportions 85 projecting in the left-right direction from the front end portion of thebase portion 81 and then projecting forward. In a case where thefulcrum portions 83 are inserted into thesecond recess portion 63 formed in theside walls 62 of theframe 6, theengagement member 8 is supported by theframe 6 to be swingable about thefulcrum portions 83 as fulcrums. - The
lock member 5 moves between a standby position shown inFIG. 8 and a lock position shown inFIG. 9C . In a case where theengagement member 8 is engaged with thetongue plate 15, thelock member 5 is operated in a lock direction, which is forward in the present embodiment, from the standby position to prevent the engagement of theengagement member 8 from being released. In a case where therelease button 4 is operated rearward toward an inner side of thebuckle body 2, thelock member 5 is operated in a direction opposite to the lock direction, which is rearward in the present embodiment, from the lock position to enable the engagement of theengagement member 8 to be released. - More specifically, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 7 , thelock member 5 includes a resin portion including abase portion 51 extending in the left-right direction, and ametal lock bar 13 to be inserted into a throughhole 54 penetrating thebase portion 51 in the left-right direction. Thebase portion 51 is provided with a pair ofarm portions 52 extending forward from both end portions of thebase portion 51. Front portions of thearm portions 52 are connected to each other by abridge portion 55 extending in the left-right direction. Both end portions of thelock bar 13 protrude from thebase portion 51. - Further, a pair of
bosses 53 protruding outward are provided at respective distal ends of the pair ofarm portions 52. Both end portions of thelock bar 13 are inserted into thefirst slits 65 formed in theside walls 62 of theframe 6, and thebosses 53 are inserted into thefirst recess portion 66 formed in theside walls 62, and thus, thelock member 5 is supported by theframe 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction. - A
spring 12 is disposed between thebase portion 51 of thelock member 5 and thespring receiving portion 87 of theengagement member 8. Thespring 12 is omitted inFIGS. 2 and 3 for simplification of the drawings. Thespring 12 biases theengagement member 8 to swing upward, that is, thehook portion 82 moves upward, and biases thelock member 5 forward. - The
lock member 5 includes a first limitingportion 56 protruding downward from the center of thebase portion 51, and a pair of second limitingportions 57 protruding downward from respective end portions of thebase portion 51. As shown inFIG. 8 , in the disengaged state of thetongue plate 15, the front end portion of thebase portion 51 is configured to come in contact with the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8 from behind. Accordingly, thelock member 5 is maintained at the standby position. - In a state from a state shown in
FIG. 9A to a state shown inFIG. 9B during the engagement of thetongue plate 15, until theengagement member 8 swings downward and the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8 is located below the first limitingportion 56 of thelock member 5, the first limitingportion 56 moves forward while contacting the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8 swinging downward. In a case where the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8 is located below the first limitingportion 56 of thelock member 5 as shown inFIG. 9B , the second limitingportion 57 of thelock member 5 moves forward while sliding on the second limitingportion 85 of theengagement member 8. In the engaged state of thetongue plate 15 shown inFIG. 9C , the second limitingportion 57 comes in contact with the second limitingportion 85 of theengagement member 8. Accordingly, the state in which theengagement member 8 swings downward is maintained. - As shown in
FIGS. 5A and 5B , therelease button 4 includes afront wall 41 that is long in the left-right direction, and a pair ofside walls 42 that extend rearward from thefront wall 41 and that sandwich bothside walls 62 of theframe 6. Upper ends of rear portions of theside walls 42 are connected to each other by abridge portion 43 extending in the left-right direction. - A
bulge portion 44 bulging forward is provided at the center of thebridge portion 43. Thebulge portion 44 is connected to the center of an upper end portion of thefront wall 41 via a pair of left andright ribs 48. Anopening 49, into which asecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 to be described later is inserted, is formed between theribs 48. Abulge portion 45 bulging rearward is provided at the center of a lower end portion of thefront wall 41. - Rear end portions of both
side walls 42 are provided withrespective attachment portions 46 each having a claw hanging downward and protruding inward at tips of the claw. Thebridge portion 43 is placed on respective upper end surfaces of bothside walls 62 of theframe 6, and the claws of theattachment portions 46 are inserted into the respectivesecond slits 64 formed in theside walls 62, and thus, therelease button 4 is supported by theframe 6 to be slidable in the front-rear direction. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , a length of thelock bar 13 is set to be longer than a width of theframe 6, and both end portions of thelock bar 13 protrude outward of theside walls 62 of theframe 6. As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B , agroove 47, into which the end portion of thelock bar 13 is inserted and whose width in the front-rear direction is longer than a width of thelock bar 13, is formed on an inner surface of eachside wall 42 of therelease button 4. In the disengaged state of thetongue plate 15, the end portion of thelock bar 13 is located near a rear side surface of thegroove 47 with a space, and, in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, the end portion of thelock bar 13 comes into contact with a front side surface of thegroove 47. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , theinertia member 9 is supported by theframe 6 to be rotatable about arotation center axis 90 extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B , theinertia member 9 includes amain body portion 91 through which therotation center axis 90 penetrates, and twofirst levers 94 and asecond lever 93 protruding from themain body portion 91 in a direction away from therotation center axis 90. Thefirst levers 94 and thesecond lever 93 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction when viewed in the left-right direction, which is an extending direction of therotation center axis 90. - The
main body portion 91 is configured to provide a center ofgravity 9 g (seeFIG. 8 ) of theinertia member 9 at a position away from therotation center axis 90. In the present embodiment, the center ofgravity 9 g of theinertia member 9 is located below therotation center axis 90. - A pair of
shaft portions 92 protrude, along therotation center axis 90, from respective side surfaces of themain body portion 91. Theshaft portions 92 are inserted into the respectivethird recess portion 67 formed in theside walls 62 of theframe 6, and thus, theinertia member 9 is supported by theframe 6 to be rotatable about therotation center axis 90. - In the left-right direction, the
second lever 93 is disposed at the center of themain body portion 91, and the twofirst levers 94 are disposed on respective sides of thesecond lever 93. Thefirst levers 94 protrude from themain body portion 91 at a position rearward of therotation center axis 90, and thesecond lever 93 protrudes from themain body portion 91 at a position forward of therotation center axis 90. That is, thefirst levers 94 are located at the inner side of thebuckle body 2 than thesecond lever 93, in the insertion direction of thetongue plate 15. A protruding direction of thefirst levers 94 and thesecond lever 93 is substantially parallel to a line connecting the center ofgravity 9 g and therotation center axis 90. -
Stoppers 95 pointed obliquely downward are provided at respective end portions of themain body portion 91. Further, a protrudingportion 69 configured to come in contact with thestopper 95 is provided on an inner surface of a front portion of eachside wall 62 of theframe 6. - Next, actions of the
buckle device 1 will be described with reference toFIGS. 9A to 10C .FIGS. 9A to 9C show actions of themechanical assembly 10 in a case where thetongue plate 15 is engaged with thebuckle device 1, andFIGS. 10A to 10C show actions of themechanical assembly 10 in a case where the engagement of thetongue plate 15 is released. Hereinafter, the insertion direction of thetongue plate 15 is referred to as an A direction, and a direction opposite to the insertion direction of thetongue plate 15 is referred to as a B direction. - First, the disengaged state of the
tongue plate 15 will be described with reference toFIG. 8 . Theengagement member 8 is maintained in a state of being swung upward by the biasing force of thespring 12. Thelock member 5 is biased in the B direction by thespring 12, and the front end portion of thebase portion 51 of thelock member 5 comes in contact with the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8. Therelease button 4 is biased in the B direction by thespring 11 via theejector 7, and a front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4 is brought into contact with thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 located in theopening 49 of therelease button 4. - In the disengaged state of the
tongue plate 15, theinertia member 9 is biased, by thespring 11 via therelease button 4, to rotate in a direction from thefirst lever 94 toward thesecond lever 93, that is, counterclockwise inFIG. 7 , and thefirst levers 94 come in contact with a lower surface of thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5. Accordingly, the movement of therelease button 4 and the rotation of theinertia member 9 are prevented, and thus, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise due to rattling of therelease button 4 and theinertia member 9. - As shown in
FIG. 9A , in a case where thetongue plate 15 is inserted into thebuckle body 2, theejector 7 is pressed by thetongue plate 15 and moves in the A direction until theejector 7 comes in contact with theleg portion 84 of theengagement member 8. Thereafter, theejector 7 is pressed by thetongue plate 15 and moves in the A direction, and thus, theengagement member 8 swings downward and thehook portion 82 of theengagement member 8 is inserted into anengagement hole 15A provided in thetongue plate 15, as shown inFIG. 9B . - In a case where the
engagement member 8 swings downward until the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8 is located below the first limitingportion 56 of thelock member 5, thelock member 5 moves in the B direction by the biasing force of thespring 12. During the movement of thelock member 5, the first limitingportion 56 of thelock member 5 slides on the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8. - The
lock member 5 alone moves in the B direction until both end portions of thelock bar 13 come in contact with the front side surfaces of thegrooves 47 of therelease button 4, which is the state shown inFIG. 9B , and thereafter, as shown inFIG. 9C , thelock member 5 moves in the B direction together with therelease button 4. - Regarding the action of the
inertia member 9, in a case where thelock member 5 moves in the B direction until both end portions of thelock bar 13 come in contact with the front side surfaces of thegrooves 47 of therelease button 4, thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 enters between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 when viewed in the left-right direction, which is the extending direction of therotation center axis 90, as shown inFIG. 9B . After that, by movement of thelock member 5 and therelease button 4 in the B direction, thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 is pressed by the front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4, and thus, theinertia member 9 rotates in a direction from thefirst lever 94 toward thesecond lever 93, which is counterclockwise inFIG. 9C . The rotation of theinertia member 9 is stopped in a case where thestopper 95 of theinertia member 9 comes in contact with the protrudingportion 69 of theframe 6, and thus, the movement of thelock member 5 and therelease button 4 in the B direction is also stopped. The position is the lock position of thelock member 5. That is, in the lock position, therelease button 4 is biased in the B direction by thespring 12 via thelock member 5. In a case where thelock member 5 moves to the lock position, the second limitingportion 57 of thelock member 5 comes in contact with the second limitingportion 85 of theengagement member 8. - Thereafter, in a case where the pressing of the
tongue plate 15 by an operator is released, thetongue plate 15 is biased by thespring 11 via theejector 7, and thus thetongue plate 15 is pressed against thehook portion 82 of theengagement member 8. Accordingly, the engaged state of thetongue plate 15 shown inFIG. 9C is formed. In the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, thefirst levers 94 and thesecond lever 93 are located on a side opposite to thetongue plate 15 with respect to therotation center axis 90. - In a case where the engagement of the
tongue plate 15 is released, therelease button 4 receives the release operation and moves, together with thelock member 5, in the A direction against the biasing force of thespring 12, and the front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4 is separated from thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9, as shown inFIG. 10A . As shown inFIG. 10B , as therelease button 4 moves to the inner side of thebuckle body 2 in the A direction of thelock member 5, thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 presses thefirst levers 94 of theinertia member 9. Accordingly, theinertia member 9 rotates in a direction, which is clockwise inFIG. 10B , from thesecond lever 93 toward thefirst lever 94. Accordingly, thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 moves in a direction away from a space between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9. - In a case where the
lock member 5 moves in the A direction until the first limitingportion 56 of thelock member 5 is located behind the first limitingportion 86 of theengagement member 8, theengagement member 8 swings upward by the biasing force of thespring 12, and the engagement between thehook portion 82 of theengagement member 8 and thetongue plate 15 is released, as shown inFIG. 10C . Accordingly, thetongue plate 15 is pushed out, by the biasing force of thespring 11, until theboss 71 of theejector 7 comes in contact with thebulge portion 45 of therelease button 4. In this state, the front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4 and thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 are away from the space between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9. - Thereafter, in a case where the pressing of the
release button 4 by the operator is released, therelease button 4 is moved to a position shown inFIG. 8 by the biasing force of thespring 11. - Next, operations of the
first lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 11A and 11B . As shown inFIGS. 11A and 11B , in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, a rear end portion of thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 is configured to come in contact with thefirst lever 94, and the front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4 is configured to come in contact with thesecond lever 93. That is, the rear end portion of thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 configures afirst contact portion 31 of the operatingmember 3, and the front end portion of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4 configures asecond contact portion 32 of the operatingmember 3. - In the engaged state of the
tongue plate 15, thefirst contact portion 31 and thesecond contact portion 32 are located between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 in the front-rear direction when viewed in the left-right direction, which is the extending direction of therotation center axis 90. As shown inFIGS. 10A to 10C , in a case where the engagement of thetongue plate 15 is released, thefirst contact portion 31 and thesecond contact portion 32 move in a direction away from the space between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 in accordance with the rotation of theinertia member 9, and in a state shown inFIG. 10C , thefirst contact portion 31 and thesecond contact portion 32 are away from the space between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93. - As shown in
FIG. 11A , in a case where a first inertial force FA in the A direction acts on the operatingmember 3 in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, an inertial force F1 in the A direction acts on theinertia member 9. Thefirst lever 94 applies a first pressing force Fb, in the B direction to thefirst contact portion 31, by the inertial force F1 in the A direction. The first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the first inertial force FA. - Regarding the inertial force F1 in the A direction acting on the
inertia member 9, in a case where a distance, in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the inertial force F1, from therotation center axis 90 to the center ofgravity 9 g of theinertia member 9 is defined as a distance L0, a torque T1 of F1×L0 is generated in theinertia member 9 around therotation center axis 90, which is counterclockwise inFIG. 11A . At a contact point between thefirst contact portion 31 and thefirst lever 94, a direction of a force F1′ applied from thefirst lever 94 to thefirst contact portion 31 by the torque T1 is orthogonal to a surface, located on a side of thefirst contact portion 31, of thefirst lever 94. Further, the following relation is satisfied: F1′=T1/L1, where L1 is a first distance, in a direction parallel to the surface, located on a side of thefirst contact portion 31, of thefirst lever 94, from the contact point between thefirst contact portion 31 and thefirst lever 94 to therotation center axis 90. Therefore, the first pressing force Fb is a component force of the force F1′ in the direction of the first inertial force FA, that is the A direction, and thus, the following relation is satisfied: Fb=F1′×sin θ1, that is, Fb=(T1/L1)×sin θ1, where θ1 is a first angle formed by an acting direction of the first inertial force FA and the surface, located on a side of thefirst contact portion 31, of thefirst lever 94. - As shown in
FIG. 11B , in a case where a second inertial force FB in the B direction acts on the operatingmember 3 in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, an inertial force F2 in the B direction acts on theinertia member 9. Thesecond lever 93 applies a second pressing force Fa in the A direction to thesecond contact portion 32 by the inertial force F2 in the B direction. The second pressing force Fa is set to be smaller than the second inertial force FB. - Regarding the inertial force F2 in the B direction acting on the
inertia member 9, in a case where a distance, in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the inertial force F2, from therotation center axis 90 to the center ofgravity 9 g of theinertia member 9 is defined as a distance L0, a torque T2 of F2×L0 is generated in theinertia member 9 around therotation center axis 90, which is clockwise inFIG. 11B . At a contact point between thesecond contact portion 32 and thesecond lever 93, a direction of a force F2′ applied from thesecond lever 93 to thesecond contact portion 32 by the torque T2 is orthogonal to a surface, located on a side of thesecond contact portion 32, of thesecond lever 93. Further, the following relation is satisfied: F2′=T2/L2, where L2 is a second distance, in a direction parallel to the surface, located on a side of thesecond contact portion 32, of thesecond lever 93, from the contact point between thesecond contact portion 32 and thesecond lever 93 to therotation center axis 90. Therefore, the second pressing force Fa is a component force of the force F2′ in the direction of the second inertial force FB, that is the B direction, and thus, the following relation is satisfied: Fa=F2′×sin θ2, that is, Fa=(T2/L2)×sin θ2, where θ2 is a second angle formed by an acting direction of the second inertial force FB and the surface, located on a side of thesecond contact portion 32, of thesecond lever 93. In the present embodiment, since the second angle θ2 is 90°, the second pressing force Fa is the same as the force F2′. - In a case where the inertial force in the A direction and the inertial force in the B direction are the same, the first inertial force FA and the second inertial force FB acting on the operating
member 3 are the same. Therefore, in order to make strength of the first pressing force Fb larger than that of the first inertial force FA, and in order to make strength of the second pressing force Fa smaller than that of the second inertial force FB, in the present embodiment, strength of the first pressing force Fb is set larger than that of the second pressing force Fa, and strength of the first inertial force FA and the second inertial force FB are set to have strength between strength of the first pressing force Fb and strength of the second pressing force Fa. - In a case where the inertial force in the A direction and the inertial force in the B direction are the same, the inertial force F1 and the inertial force F2 acting on the
inertia member 9 are also the same. As a result, the torque T1 and the torque T2 of the inertia member are also the same. Therefore, since Fb=(T1/L1)×sin θ1 and Fa=(T2/L2)×sin θ2, it is possible to set the first pressing force Fb to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by, for example, at least one of making the first distance L1 smaller than the second distance L2 or making the first angle θ1 larger than the second angle θ2 in a range of 90° or less. In the present embodiment, although the first angle θ1 is smaller than the second angle θ2 due to shape restrictions, the first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by appropriately setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2. In this way, thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 can individually adjust the first distance L1, the second distance L2, the first angle θ1, and the second angle θ2 as long as the first pressing force Fb is larger than the second pressing force Fa. Thus, thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 have a degree of freedom in design, and are easily provided in consideration of the strength thereof, the shape of other members, and the like. - As described above, in the
buckle device 1 of the present embodiment, in a case where the first inertial force FA in the A direction acts on the operatingmember 3, the first pressing force Fb, which is larger than the first inertial force FA, in a direction opposite to the first inertial force FA is applied from thefirst lever 94 of theinertia member 9 to the operatingmember 3. Thus, the operatingmember 3 is prevented from being operated. On the other hand, in a case where the second inertial force FB in the B direction acts on the operatingmember 3, the second pressing force Fa in a direction opposite to the second inertial force FB is applied from thesecond lever 93 of theinertia member 9 to the operatingmember 3. However, the second pressing force Fa is smaller than the second inertial force FB, and thus the operatingmember 3 is not operated in the A direction by thesecond lever 93. Therefore, the engagement of thetongue plate 15 can be reliably prevented from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force. In addition, since thefirst contact portion 31 and thefirst lever 94 for the first inertial force FA are provided separately from thesecond contact portion 32 and thesecond lever 93 for the second inertial force FB, the degree of freedom in design is high. - In the present embodiment, in the engaged state of the
tongue plate 15, therelease button 4 and thelock member 5, which are the operatingmember 3, are biased forward, which is in the B direction, by thespring 12, and thus the biasing force of thespring 12 acts to decrease the first inertial force FA and to increase the second inertial force FB. Accordingly, an effect of reliably preventing the engagement of thetongue plate 15 from being released by an inertial force, regardless of a direction of the inertial force can be enhanced. - (Modification)
- The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure.
- For example, the operating
member 3 may be only therelease button 4 as shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B , or the operatingmember 3 may be only thelock member 5 as shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B . In this way, in a case where the operatingmember 3 is at least one of therelease button 4 or thelock member 5, since thebuckle device 1 generally includes therelease button 4 and thelock member 5, thefirst contact portion 31 and thesecond contact portion 32 can be provided without adding components. However, in a case where the operatingmember 3 is both therelease button 4 and thelock member 5, thefirst contact portion 31 is provided on thelock member 5, and thesecond contact portion 32 is provided on therelease button 4 as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to simplify the shape of therelease button 4 and the shape of thelock member 5 to easily manufacture therelease button 4 and thelock member 5, or to easily provide therelease button 4 and thelock member 5 in consideration of the strength and the shape of other members. - Further, in the above embodiment, since the
first lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 are separated from each other in the direction of therotation center axis 90 of theinertia member 9, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in providing thefirst lever 94, thesecond lever 93, thefirst contact portion 31, and thesecond contact portion 32 is increased, and the strength of the operatingmember 3 is easily secured even in a case where a distance, in a rotation direction of theinertia member 9, between thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 is small. - Specifically, in a first modification shown in
FIGS. 12A and 12B , instead of omitting thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5, abar portion 40 having a length extending over bothfirst levers 94 of theinertia member 9 is integrally provided on a lower surface of thebulge portion 44 of therelease button 4. A rear end portion of thebar portion 40 configures thefirst contact portion 31 of the operatingmember 3, and a front end portion of thebulge portion 44 configures thesecond contact portion 32 of the operatingmember 3, and thus the operatingmember 3 includes only therelease button 4. In this case, in a case where the first inertial force FA in the A direction acts on the operatingmember 3, the first pressing force Fb is not applied to thelock member 5 from thefirst lever 94 of theinertia member 9. However, for example, a biasing force of thespring 12 in a forward direction, which is the B direction, may be set to be larger than an inertial force acting on thelock member 5. - In a second modification shown in
FIGS. 13A and 13B , a rear end portion of thebridge portion 55 of thelock member 5 configures thefirst contact portion 31 of the operatingmember 3, and a front end portion of thebridge portion 55 configures thesecond contact portion 32 of the operatingmember 3, and thus the operatingmember 3 includes only thelock member 5. - In the above embodiment, although the first angle θ1 is smaller than the second angle θ2, the first pressing force Fb is set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by appropriately setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2. However, as in the second modification shown in
FIGS. 13A and 13B , the first pressing force Fb may be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by setting the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 to the same angle (here, 90°) and setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2. - In a third modification shown in
FIGS. 14A and 14B , as in the second modification, the operatingmember 3 includes only thelock member 5. However, in the third modification, although the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 are the same, the first pressing force Fb may be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by setting the first angle θ1 to be larger than the second angle θ2. - Further, instead of providing a surface having the first angle θ1 on the
first lever 94 and a surface having the second angle θ2 on thesecond lever 93, a surface facing thefirst lever 94 and inclined with respect to the acting direction, which is the A direction, of the first inertial force FA may be provided on thefirst contact portion 31 of the operatingmember 3, and thefirst lever 94 may come in contact with the surface. Similarly, a surface facing thesecond lever 93 and inclined with respect to the acting direction, which is the B direction, of the second inertial force FB may be provided on thesecond contact portion 32 of the operatingmember 3, and thesecond lever 93 may come in contact with the surface. Even in this case, the first pressing force Fb can be set to be larger than the second pressing force Fa by, for example, setting an angle of the surface on thefirst contact portion 31 to be larger than the angle of the surface on thesecond contact portion 32 in a range of 90° or less, or by setting the first distance L1 to be smaller than the second distance L2. - In the above embodiment, the
lock member 5 is configured to slide in the front-rear direction between the lock position and a non-lock position, but thelock member 5 may be configured to pivot between the lock position and the non-lock position. - In contrast to the above embodiment, the center of
gravity 9 g of theinertia member 9 may be located above therotation center axis 90. As in the above embodiment, in a case where the center ofgravity 9 g of theinertia member 9 is located below therotation center axis 90, in other words, in a case where thefirst lever 94 and thesecond lever 93 are located on a side opposite to thetongue plate 15 with respect to therotation center axis 90 in the engaged state of thetongue plate 15, the shapes and sizes of thefirst lever 94, thesecond lever 93, thefirst contact portion 31, and thesecond contact portion 32 are less likely to be restricted by a space of thetongue plate 15.
Claims (7)
1. A buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and for detachably engaging with the inserted tongue plate, the buckle device comprising:
a hollow buckle body;
an operating member configured to be operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement between the tongue plate and the buckle device, the operating member being supported, in the buckle body, to be slidable in an insertion direction of the tongue plate; and
an inertia member supported, in the buckle body, to be rotatable about a rotation center axis extending in a width direction of the tongue plate,
wherein the inertia member includes:
a main body portion through which the rotation center axis penetrates; and
a first lever and a second lever protruding from the main body portion in a direction away from the rotation center axis, the first lever and the second lever being arranged at a predetermined interval in the insertion direction of the tongue plate when viewed from an extending direction of the rotation center axis,
the first lever is located on an inner side, than the second lever, of the buckle body in the insertion direction of the tongue plate,
in an engaged state of the tongue plate, the operating member is configured to be in contact, at a first contact portion, with the first lever and configured to be in contact, at a second contact portion, with the second lever, the engaged state of the tongue plate being a state where the tongue plate is engaged with the buckle body,
in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are located between the first lever and the second lever in the insertion direction of the tongue plate,
in a case where the tongue plate is disengaged from the buckle body, the first contact portion and the second contact portion move in a direction away from a position between the first lever and the second lever, in accordance with a rotation of the inertia member,
in a case where a first inertial force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first lever applies, to the first contact portion, a first pressing force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the first pressing force being larger than the first inertial force, and
in a case where a second inertial force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate acts on the operating member in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the second lever applies, to the second contact portion, a second pressing force in the insertion direction of the tongue plate, the second pressing force being smaller than the second inertial force.
2. The buckle device according to claim 1 ,
wherein, in a thickness direction of the tongue plate, a first distance is smaller than a second distance, the first distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the first contact portion and the first lever, the second distance being a distance from the rotation center axis of the inertia member to a contact point between the second contact portion and the second lever.
3. The buckle device according to claim 1 ,
wherein, in the engaged state of the tongue plate, a first angle is larger than a second angle, the first angle being formed by the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the first contact portion, of the first lever, the second angle being formed by the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate and a surface, which is at a side of the second contact portion, of the second lever.
4. The buckle device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a release button configured to receive the release operation;
an engagement member configured to engage with the tongue plate that is to be inserted into the buckle body; and
a lock member,
wherein, in a case where the engagement member engages with the tongue plate, the lock member is configured to be operated in a lock direction to prevent engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate from being released,
in a case where the release button is operated toward an inner side of the buckle body, the lock member is configured to be operated in a direction opposite to the lock direction to enable the engagement between the engagement member and the tongue plate to be released, and
the operating member is at least one of the release button or the lock member.
5. The buckle device according to claim 4 ,
wherein the operating member is both the release button and the lock member,
the first contact portion is provided on the lock member, and
the second contact portion is provided on the release button.
6. The buckle device according to claim 5 ,
wherein the release button is biased in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue plate, and
in a state where the tongue plate is not inserted into the buckle body, the first lever is configured to be in contact with the lock member, and the second lever is configured to be in contact with the release button.
7. The buckle device according to claim 1 ,
wherein, in the engaged state of the tongue plate, the first lever and the second lever are located on a side opposite to the tongue plate with respect to the rotation center axis.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2022016297A JP2023114134A (en) | 2022-02-04 | 2022-02-04 | Buckle device |
JP2022-016297 | 2022-02-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20230248121A1 true US20230248121A1 (en) | 2023-08-10 |
Family
ID=87312736
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18/163,083 Pending US20230248121A1 (en) | 2022-02-04 | 2023-02-01 | Buckle device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230248121A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2023114134A (en) |
CN (1) | CN116548707A (en) |
DE (1) | DE102023102553A1 (en) |
-
2022
- 2022-02-04 JP JP2022016297A patent/JP2023114134A/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-02-01 US US18/163,083 patent/US20230248121A1/en active Pending
- 2023-02-02 CN CN202310124654.4A patent/CN116548707A/en active Pending
- 2023-02-02 DE DE102023102553.8A patent/DE102023102553A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2023114134A (en) | 2023-08-17 |
DE102023102553A1 (en) | 2023-08-10 |
CN116548707A (en) | 2023-08-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP5285524B2 (en) | Vehicle door lock device | |
JP2587877Y2 (en) | Buckle device for seat belt | |
US10408312B2 (en) | Tensioner lever | |
US5054171A (en) | Buckle device | |
US7124481B2 (en) | Buckle device | |
EP2476582A1 (en) | Seat belt lock device of a child car seat, and a child car seat | |
US20150166005A1 (en) | Buckle apparatus for seat belt | |
US20230248121A1 (en) | Buckle device | |
EP1671558B1 (en) | Buckle device | |
US5974638A (en) | Seat belt buckle | |
US10455903B2 (en) | Buckle device | |
JP2001046117A (en) | Buckle device | |
US3514816A (en) | Pushbutton separable fastener | |
JP2005254852A (en) | Seat belt device | |
US7458136B2 (en) | Shock-absorbing safety belt buckle | |
CN115675199A (en) | Seat sliding device | |
US6427297B1 (en) | Buckle with smooth tongue insertion mechanism | |
JP6487893B2 (en) | Seat belt buckle device | |
JP5949685B2 (en) | Side lock device | |
JP4901730B2 (en) | Seat belt device | |
KR200416588Y1 (en) | Seat belt buckle device for a vehicle capable of preventing release movement due to inertia | |
JP3963866B2 (en) | Buckle device | |
JPH03222904A (en) | Buckle device | |
CN115384410A (en) | Vehicle storage device | |
JP3985934B2 (en) | Lever operating force transmission structure in locking device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TSUDA, HIROSHI;KUBO, SHIGEHIKO;ISHIZAKI, TAKAO;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20230106 TO 20230117;REEL/FRAME:062564/0487 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |